Reamer



July 5, 1938. J. H. HOWARD El AL REAMER Filed April 15, 1936 2 Sh ets-Sheet l 5 a a WW J a w A w a m ZS w 5 y 1933- J. H. HOWARD El" AL 2,122,863

- REAMER Filed April 13, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Znrew fore Patented Jul s, 193s REAMEE John H. Howard, Huntington Park, and Alfred G. Catland, Alhambra, Calif; said Oatland assignor to Globe Oil Tools Company, Los Nietos, OaiiL, a corporation of California Application April 13, 1936, Serial No. 74,186

Claim.

This invention relates to a well drilling tool and relates more particularly to a well reamer. A general object of the invention is to provide a practical, eifective well reamer for reaming or enlarging a pilot bore and for forming a smooth regular seat on the wall of the well to receive the packer of a formation tester, or the like.

Many formation testers or well testers embody a packer designed to seal with an inclined 10 shoulder of earth formation in the well. Heretofore it has been the general practice to employ a drag or scrape type tool to form the inclined shoulder in a well to receive the packer of a tester. Drag type or scrape type drilling tools are not capable of forming a smooth regular shoulder for engagement by a packer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a. well tool of the reamer type embodying roller cutters positioned and mounted to form a smooth regular inclined shoulder on the wall of the well for properly receiving the packer of a well tester or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well reamer embodying roller' cutters and that is operable to enlarge a rat-hole or pilot bore to the desired full gauge.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well drilling tool embodying a pilot bit operable to guide the tool in a previously formed pilot bore or to drill a pilot bore and that embodies reaming roller cutters rotatable about inclined axes operable to enlarge the pilot bore to the desired gauge.

Another object of this invention is to provide as novel and particularly effective means for rotatably supporting the roller cutters of a well reamer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well reamer embodying a simple one diameter pin rotatably supporting the roller cutters and a simple dependable means for locking the pin against movement and displacement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well reamer of the character mentioned in which the cutter carrying pins are supported at their ends and at points between their ends.

A further object of this invention is to provide a well reamer that is very simple and inexpensive and that is easy to recondition after use.

The various objects and features of our invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the improved tool provided by this invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the reamer portion of the tool, being a view taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 5. Fig. I. 3 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig; 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse detailed sectional 10 views taken as indicated by lines 5--5and 6-6, respectively, on Fig. 2, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken as indicatedbyline 1-4 on Fig. 2.

The well tool'provided by this invention includes, generally, a shank lo, a bit II on the lower end of the shank, removable inclined pins l2 and i2 on the shank I0 above the bit ll, means [3 locking the pins I2 and i2 in place, and roller cutters A and B rotatable on the pins 20 I2 and i2 respectively.

The shank i0 is the mandrel or body of the tool and is adapted to be secured to the lower end of a well drilling string. The shank ID is an elongate member and is provided at its upper 25 end with means for connecting with the drilling string. In the case illustrated in the drawings a tapered screw threaded pin I4 is provided on the upper end of the shank Ill for connecting the shank with the drilling string. The shank Ill 30 is provided with a downwardly and inwardly tapered portion IS. The tapered portion I 5 is spaced some distance above the lower end of the shank l 0. An annular rim or flange I6 is provided at the upper end of the portion i5 and a similar 35 flange ll of less diameter is provided at the lower endof the portion IS. The lower portion of the shank l0 below the flange i1 is reduced in diameter and may be graduated in diameter. as illustrated. A central longitudinal fluid passage 40 9 extends longitudinally through the shank Ill from one end to the other.

In accordance with the invention the shank I0 is shaped or formed to carry the pins i2 and i2 and the cutters A and B. Circumferentially 45 spaced sets or series of recesses-i8 and is are provided in the tapered portion iii of the shank i0. In the preferred construction there are three equally spaced series of recesses. At least one of the series has two vertically spaced recesses I8 50.

and at least one of the series has three vertically spaced recesses iii. In the preferred form of the invention illustrated in the drawings there are two vertically spaced recesses iii in two of the series and three vertically spaced recesses iii in 55 v the third series or recesses. The upper ends of the uppermost recesses I8 and I9 occur at the flange I6. The lower ends of the lowermost re-- cesses I8 and I9'occur at the flange II. The recesses I8 are of the same length and adjacent recesses I8 are separated by partitions .or webs 29. The webs 29 are integral parts oi the shank l9. The recesses I9 0! the third series of recesses may be of substantially the same size and are separated or spaced by integral webs 2I of the shank I9. In accordance with the invention the 'inner walls of the recesses I8 and I9 are inclined downwardly. and inwardly relative to the longi- ..tudinal.axis of the shank I9. Portions of the walls of the lowermost recesses I8 and I9 may be substantially vertical. In the preferred construction the inner walls of the other recesses I8 and I9 are curved about downwardly and inwardly inclined axes oi! curvature. The upper and lower walls of the recesses I8 and I9 areflat and may be normal to the axes of curvature of the inner walls of the recesses. The recesses I8 and I9 are related so that the middle or intermediate recess I9 lies in a horizontal plane or zone over-.

lapping the adjacent end portions of the upper and lower recesses I8. Ports 8 are provided in shank I9.

the shank I9 to conduct the circulation fluid from the passage 9 to the recesses I8 and I9. There may be a port 8 communicating with each recess I8 and I9 to assure the proper flushing of the cutters A and B. If desired the fluid passage 9 may be of downwardly diminishing diameter as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The bit I I may be employed to drill a pilot bore in advance of the reaming cutters A and B or may be employed to operate in a previously formed pilot bore to guide the tool. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention the bit ll may be varied considerably in character and may be secured to the shank I9 in any suitable manner. The particular bit II illustrated in the drawings is a drag type or scrape type bit comprising a stem 22 and cutting blades 23 projecting from the lower end of the stem 22. In the drawings we have shown the bit I I secured to the shank I9 by a practical efiective bayonet type connection, it being understood that the bit II may be threaded to the shank if desired. In the structure illustrated in the drawings a longitudinal socket 24 is provided in the stem 22 to receive the reduced lower portion I9 of the L-shaped slots or bayonet slots 25 are provided in the stem 22 to receive lugs 26 on the shank portion I9. The lugs 26 are adapted to cooperate with the lateral portions of the bayonet slots 25 to connect the bit II to the shank I9. Keys 21 are inserted in the longitudinal or vertical portions of the slots 25 behind the lugs 26 to lock the lugs in the lateral portions of the slots.

Screws 28 are threaded in the shank to hold the keys 2'I'against upward displacement. The bit II has one or more fluid discharge ports (not shown) for discharging the circulation fluid de-' livered to the bit by the fluid passage 9.

The pins I2 and I2 are provided to rotatably carry the cutters A and ,B and are removably secured to the shank I9 to extend through the series of recesses I8 and I9. There is a pin I2 extending through each series or set of recesses I8 and a pin I2 extending through the series of recesses I9. The pins I2 and I2 are plain cylindrical members of the desired diameter. In accordance with the invention the cutter carrying pins I2 are inclined downwardly and inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank I9.

Sockets 29 are provided in the shank flange II at the lower ends of the lowermost recesses I8. The

. longitudinal axes of the sockets 29 are inclined downwardly and inwardly and the lower ends of the sockets 29 are closed. Openings 39 extend through the flange I6 at the upper ends of the uppermost recesses I8. The openings 39 are inclined downwardly and inwardly and are longitudinally aligned with the sockets 29. Partially cylindrical grooves 3I are provided in the webs 29. The axes of curvature of the walls of the grooves 3| are coincident with the axes of the sockets 29 and openings 39. The pins I2 are passed downwardly through the openings 39 to have their lower end portions received in the sockets 29. The-bottoms oi the sockets 29 may limit'the downward movement of the pins I2. The pins I2 bear in or cooperate with the grooves 3I and are thus supported against inward pres Y sures between their ends. The upper ends of the pins I2 are preferably within the openings 39.

A socket 32 is provided in the flange II at the lower end of the lower recess I8. The socket 32 is inclined downwardly and inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank. An opening 33 is provided in the flange I6 at the upper end of the upper recess I9. The opening 33 is inclined downwardly and inwardly and is in longitudinal alignment with the socket 32. Partially cylindrical grooves 34 are provided in the webs 2 I. The axes of curvature of the walls or grooves 34 are coincident with the axis of the socket 32 and the opening 33. The pin I2 is passed downwardly through the opening 33 to have its lower portion received in the socket 32. The upper end of the pin I2 is preferably within the opening 33. The pin I2 extending through the recesses I9, cooperates with the grooves 34 to be supported against inward thrusts at spaced points between its ends. It will be observed that the pins I2 and I2 arranged as just described are held against movement in all directions except about their own axes and upward movement.

The means I3 operates to lock or hold the pins I2 and I2 against upward movement and against turning about their axes whereby the pins are held against displacement from the shank I9. The pin retaining means I3 includes a block 36 secured to each web 29. The webs 29 each have a flat sided key 3I and a flat walled slot or groove 38 is provided in the inner side of each block 36 to receive a key 3I. The cooperation of the keys 3I and the grooves 38 holds the blocks 36 against lateral movement. A flat walled slot 39 is provided in the inner side of each block 36 to cooperate with a pin I2. In accordance with the invention the pins I 2 each have a flat walled notch 49 for cooperating with a slot 39. The cooperation of the walls of the'slots 39 and the notches 49 holds the pins I2 against rotation. The upper and lower ends of the blocks 36 cooperate with the end walls of the notches 49 to hold the pins I2 against longitudinal movement It is to be understood that the lower ends of the pins I2 may cooperate with the bottom walls of the sockets 39 to prevent downward movement of the pins. Means is provided for removably securing the blocks 36 to the shank I9. Screws M are passed through openings 42 in the blocks 36 and are threaded into openings 43 in the webs 29 and the adjacent parts of the shank I9. In practice the screws 4I may be socket headed and their heads may be received in the enlarged outer portions of the openings 42. The heads oi. the

screws 4| may be peened over in the openings 42 25 to hold the pins against displacement. It is believed that it will be apparent how the cooperation 01 the slots 38 in the blocks II with the pin notches 40 effectively and dependably holds. the pins against movement and displacement.

The pin retaining means l3 includes blocks 44 secured to the webs 2i. Flat sided keys 4' are provided on the webs 2i and cooperate with grooves 46 in the blocks 44 to hold the blocks against lateral shifting. In accordance with the invention flat walled slots 41 are provided in the blocks 44 and flat walled notches 48 are provided in the pin i2 to cooperatewith the slots 41. The engagement of the walls of the slots 41 and notches 48 holds the pin I2 against rotational movement. The ends of the blocks 44 are adapted to cooperate with the end walls of the notches 48 to hold the pin l2! against longitudinal movement. Suitable means is provided for removably securing the blocks 44 to the webs 2 I. In the particular case illustrated screws 48 are passed through openings in the blocks 2| and thread into openings 5| in the webs 2| and the adjacent parts of the shank iii. The screws 49 may be socket headed screws. The heads of the screws 49 may be received in the enlarged outer ends of the openings 50. The heads of the screws 49 may be peened over in the openings 50 to prevent loss or unthreading of the screws 49. The blocks 44 cooperate with the pin l2 to prevent rotational and longitudinal shifting of the pin and to maintain the pin in bearing cooperation with the grooves 34.

The roller cutters A are rotatable on the pins l2 to project from the mouths of the recesses I 8 while the roller cutters B are rotatable on the pin I2 in the recesses IS. The cutters A and B are in the nature of substantially cylindrical roller cutters. The upper portions of the uppermost cutters A and B may be tapered. The lower end portions of the lower cutters A and B may be tapered as illustrated in the drawings. The cutters A and B have suitable clearance with the walls of their respective recesses l8 and i9 and project from the mouths of the recesses to cooperate with the earth formation. The cutters A and B have suitable teeth or cutting parts. In the particular form of the invention illustrated the cutting teeth of the cutters B are spiralled in a left hand direction and the cutting teeth of the cutters A in one series of recesses l8 are spiralled in a right hand direction. The cutting teeth of the cutters A in the other series of recesses i8 are straight or axial. This relationship of the cutting parts of the cutters A and B is best illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Thrust washers are provided on the pins l2 at the opposite ends of the cutters A. The washers 6|! are polygonal or flat sided. The washers 60 at the upper ends of the uppermost cutters A cooperate with fiat walled notches 6! in the upper walls of the upper recesses I8. The cooperation of the washers 60 with the notches 6i prevents turning of the washers. The washers 60 at the lower ends of the lower cutters A cooperate with flat walled notches 62 in the bottom walls of the lower recesses l8. The flat sided washers 60 fitting the'fiat walled notches 62 are held against turning. The washers 60 which space the ends of the cutters A from the webs 20 cooperate with flat walled notches 63 in the blocks 36. The notches 63 receiving the flat sided washers 60 holdthe washers against turning. Thrust washers 65 are provided on the pin l2 at the opposite ends of the several cutters B. The thrust washers in the upper end of the uppermost cutter B has nonrotatable cooperation with a fiat walled notch 86 in the upper wall of the uppermost recess I8. The thrust washer 65 at the lower end of the lowermost cutter B is held against turning by its cooperation with a flat walled notch 61 in the bottom wall of the recess is. The thrust washers 8i spacing the ends of the cutters B from the webs 2| ,and the blocks 44 are partially received in flat walled notches B8 in the blocks 44. The flat sided washers 85 seated in the flat walled notches 68 are held against turning on the pin l2.

In operation, the tool provided by the present invention may be employed to form or finish an inclined shoulder of earth formation at the upper end or a rat-hole or pilot bore. When used for this purpose the bit ll enters the pilot bore to guide and steady the tool. The cutters A and B are adapted to engage the formation at the upper end of the pilot bore to cut or provide a smooth regular inclined shoulder. The

1, cutters A and B are related so that no ridges or grooves are formed on the shoulder.

The intermediate cutter B operates in a horizontal or circumferential plane which overlaps the adjacent end portions of the cutters A. The plurality of roller cutters independently rotatable about inclined axes are particularly efiective in forming a smooth regular shoulder in the well. The tool may be employed toream or enlarge a'previously formed pilot bore. When used for this purpose the bit ll enters the pilot bore in advance of the cutters .A and B to guide and steady the tool. The cutters A and B act on the earth formation at the upper end of the pilot bore and as the tool is rotated and fed downwardly they operate to enlarge the bore. The cutters A and B are spaced and positioned to be particularly rapid and efficient in their cutting action. If desired, the tool may be employed as a drilling tool, in which case the bit Ii operates to form a pilot bore in advance of the cutters A and B. As the bit N forms the pilot bore the cutters A and B operating above the bit enlarge the pilot bore to the desired diameter.

The cutters A and B are effectively and dependably supported for rotation about their individual axes. The cutter supporting pins 12 and l2 are simple cylindrical parts whose opposite end portions are directly carried in openings in the shank Ill. The pins l2 and I2 are supported intermediate their ends against the operating thrusts. The webs 20 and 2| serve to .brace and support the intermediate portions of the pins l2 and I2 respectively. As described above. the slotted blocks 36 and 44 cooperate with the pins l2 and i2 at the webs 20 and II to dependably lock the pins against movement. The blocks 36 and 44 are simple inexpensive parts and are easily secured to the shank. The blocks may be readily removed from the shank III to permit the removal of the pins I2 and i2 when it is desired to replace the cutters.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of our invention, we do not wish to. be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A well tool comprising. a shank having recesses, a socket at an end of one recess and an opening at an end of another recess, a web on the shank between the recesses, a pin extending through the recesses, cooperating with the web, having one end portion carried in the socket and having its other end portion carried in the opening, and a part on the web cooperating with the pin to hold the pin against longitudinal movement, and cutters in the recesses rotatably supported by the pin.

2. A well tool including, a shank having a series of aligned spaced recesses, and openings at the opposite ends of said series, a pin extending through the recesses and having its portions carried in said openings, a part secured to the portion of the shank between the recesses to hold the pin against turning movement, and cutters on the pin rotatable in the recesses.

3. A well tool including, a shank having a series of recesses and an opening at each end of said series, a part on the shank between the recesses, a removable pin extending through the recesses and having its end portions supported in the openings and supported between its ends by said part, means on said part holding the pin against turning and moving longitudinally, and cutters in the recesses rotatably supported by the pin.

4. A well tool including, a shank having a series of recesses and an opening at each end of said series, a part on the shank between the recesses, a removable pin extending through the recesses and having its end portions supported in the openings and supported between its ends by said part, means on said part holding the pin against longitudinal movement, and cutters in the recesses rotatably supported by the pin, said means including a block secured to said part and cooperating with the pin.

5. A well tool including, a shank having a series of recesses and an opening at each end of said series, a part on the shank between the recesses, a removable pin extending through the recesses and having its end portions supported in the openings and supported between its ends by said part, a substantially flat surface on the pin, a member secured to said part and cooperating with the surface to hold the pin against movement, and cutters rotatably carried by the pin to project from the recesses.

6. A well tool including, a shank having a series of recesses and an opening at each end of said series, a part on the shank between the recesses, a removable pin extending through the recesses and having its end portions supported in the openings and supported between its ends by said part. the pin having a notch, a member attached to said part and cooperating with the notch to hold the pin against movement, and cutters rotatably carried by the pin to project from the recesses.

7. A well reamer comprising, a shank having a series of recesses, an opening at one end of the series and a socket at the other end of the series, a part on the shank between the recesses,.a pin extending through the recesses'having one end portion carried in the opening, having its other end. portion carried in the socket and bearing against said part, the pin having a notch, a member removably secured to said part and cooperating with the notch to lock the pin in position, and roller cutters rotatable on the pin and projecting from the recesses.

8. A well reamer including, a shank, three circumferentially spaced pins on the shank inclined downwardly and inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank, three roller cutters on one of the pins, and two roller cutters on each of the other pins of greater length than the first mentioned cutters, the cutters on the said pins being related to overlap in their engagement with the formation.

9. A well reamer comprising, a shank having a series of vertically spaced recesses, a socket at the lower end of said series and an opening at the upper end of said series, said socket and opening being inclined downwardly and inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank, a pin extending through the recesses and having one end carried in the socket and one end carried in the opening, a member secured to the shank between the recesses and cooperating with the pin to hold it against longitudinal movement, and roller cutters in the recesses rotatable on the pm.

10. A well tool comprising, a shank having circumferentially spaced series of vertically spaced recesses, sockets at the lower ends of said series, and openings at the upper ends of said series, the sockets and openings being inclined downwardly and inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank, pins passing through the recesses and bearing on the portions of the shank between adjacent recesses, and having their ends carried in the sockets and openings, blocks secured to said portions of the shank and holding the pins against turning, and roller cutters in the recesses rotatable on'the pins.

JOHN H. HOWARD. ALFRED C. CATLAND. 

